Sunday, April 13, 2025

Opus Bar & Grill @ Voco Orchard Singapore - Launches the All New Grill Out Sunday

Live Fire Grill

Opus Bar & Grill's newly launched Grill Out Sunday might hit the spot if you're looking for a satisfying Sunday lunch spot. Think endless appetisers, sides, and desserts alongside a variety of grilled mains - all served à la carte style to your table. There is no need to leave your seat for the buffet line; sit back and indulge.

With quality ingredients, freshly grilled meats, and comforting sides done right, it's the kind of restaurant where you leave full, happy, and already planning your next visit.

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A good variety of appetisers and sides accompany your grilled meats. Here are our highlights from what we tried:

Shrimp Cocktail — This cocktail is beautifully presented with fresh, crunchy shrimp paired with Marie Rose sauce, shredded lettuce, and tomato chutney. It's a classic done well.

Beetroot and Feta — Pickled beetroot paired with feta cheese, rocket, and almond flakes. It's tangy and refreshing, a great palate cleanser between bites of meat.

Beef Fat Roasted Potatoes — Potatoes and meat are a match made in heaven. These crispy, well-seasoned roasted potatoes are dangerously addictive. They are a must-order.

Creamed Spinach with Egg Yolk — This one surprised us! Silky creamed spinach is topped with a raw egg yolk that adds richness and depth. We liked it so much that we ordered seconds.

Yorkshire Pudding — This pudding is a nod to a traditional British roast. While nicely baked, it lacks the essential gravy and can get a little dry. Tip: Pair it with creamed spinach!

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Pumpkin Soup 4/5

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Mac & Cheese 4.8/5

The last two dishes we want to highlight are Pumpkin Soup and Mac & Cheese. The pumpkin soup was creamy and comforting, with a lovely balance of savoury and sweet. It was topped with herb oil and almond flakes for added texture.

As for the Mac & Cheese, let's say I haven't had one this good in a long time! It was gooey, rich, and incredibly satisfying. The macaroni still had a slight bite, and the cheese blend was spot on, with quality cheese used. We wished we had space for another bowl.

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Sauces

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On to the live grill station, we told them to make us a platter of everything so we could sample it all. Since it is a buffet, you may order more of what you like afterwards. They have every type of meat available: Roasted Tandoori Chicken, Beef Prime Rib, Crispy Pork Knuckle, Smoked Lamb Leg, Grilled Seabass, and Roasted Spicy Cauliflower.

The Roasted Tandoori Chicken was juicy and well-seasoned, one of our favourites. The Grilled Seabass was fresh and had nice char, though you should watch out for the tiny bones. The Roasted Spicy Cauliflower was another standout. It was smoked, flavourful, and a great meat-free option.

Gueridon

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Apple Crumble 3.8/5

To end the meal, we were served the Gueridon Dessert of the Day - Apple Crumble made tableside with a touch of flambé flair. The apples retained a nice crunch, complemented by crumble bits, whipped cream and caramel sauce.

Other desserts, like Crème Brulee and Ice Cream Sundae, are also available, but we were far too full to continue. Do come with an appetite on your next visit!

Restaurant

This is a great way to spend your Sunday afternoon, with delicious food, good variety and a relaxed setting. Do note that service can be a little slow, but that's expected with an à la carte buffet where everything is cooked fresh upon order.

Grill Out Sunday is available every Sunday from 12pm to 3pm at $88++ per adult and $44++ per child, inclusive of free-flow fresh juices, speciality coffee, and artisanal teas. There’s also an à la carte option at $48++, which includes one main and two sides, perfect for lighter eaters.

Photos and words by Jaslyn. An avid cook who lives to eat and travel for food. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Opus Bar & Grill
VOCO Orchard Singapore
581 Orchard Road
Singapore 238883
Tel: +65 6730 3390
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Nearest MRT: Orchard (NS, TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Daily: 630am - 1030pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Orchard MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk towards Wheelock Place via ION. Exit Wheelock Place and turn left towards Liat Tower. Walk down Orchard Road to destination. Journey time about 10 minutes. [Map]

Saturday, April 12, 2025

Maggie's @ Keong Saik Road - The Rebellious Sister of Marcy that Serves Up Boundary-Pushing Chinese Cuisine

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Meet Maggie'sMarcy's mei mei, a.k.a. darling little sister. If Marcy's is all elegance and polish, Maggie's is the rebellious one who rolls up her sleeves, throws caution to the wind, and serves up a daring, boundary-pushing adventure for your taste buds.

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Maggie's blends the old with the new, East with West, bold with refined. An "Almost Chinese" bistro that plays by no one's rules, Maggie's celebrates flavour that doesn't bow to tradition. Instead, it dances on the edge, leading a high-energy, flavour revolution that leaves you craving more. Led by Chef Ryan Nile Choo, the menu at Maggie's is kept concise, meant to be enjoyed in a sharing style, and will be refreshed every quarter. The current iteration of the menu is rather adventurous, featuring dishes such as cod milt, quail, and lamb tartare.

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First, the space is absolutely stunning. The low ceilings and vibey red lighting set the perfect mood, blending vintage 'grandma chic' with a touch of '70s glamour. It's a space that feels both nostalgic and effortlessly cool, like stepping into a time capsule where vintage elegance meets modern edge. There are lots of little thoughtful details in the décor, so take the time to soak it all in.

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"Golden Gun" Cigars 4.5/5

The first dish we tried was the "Golden Gun" Cigars ($18 for 2 pc). These feature bigeye tuna crudo mixed with olive leaves (kana chai) and wrapped in a crispy, golden skin like a spring roll. It's finished with a dusting of tomato powder and served on a bed of crème fraiche and spring onions. I loved how the olive leaves added a unique subtle, earthy note to the dish.

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Golden Prawn Croque-Madame 4.8/5

Next up was the Golden Prawn Croque-Madame ($25), and wow, what an excellent flavour combination! A Tiger Prawn "Mojo" prawn paste infused with Sichuan green peppercorns for that signature mala kick is sandwiched between two thin, crispy slices of homemade focaccia. There's also a fried egg on top, and it's all tied together with a refreshing passionfruit hollandaise that adds a burst of tangy creaminess to balance out the slight mala heat.

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Fufu e Pepe 4.2/5

The Fufu e Pepe ($26) was the polarising dish of the evening. Inspired by the classic Caccio e Pepe, hand-pulled La Mian is coated with a sauce made with fermented bean curd and tossed with guanciale pecorino and Jinhua ham. The flavours are deep and intense, with the Jinhua ham adding a smoky richness as well. Some might consider this dish way too pungent to enjoy. However, for those who relish adventurous, complex tastes, this is a dish worth trying.

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Roasted Pomfret 4.2/5

The Roasted Pomfret ($36 half, $58 whole) can be ordered as a half or full portion and is cooked with green peppercorn salsa verde and extra virgin olive oil. The fish is fresh and delicious, with a subtle mala spiciness that adds an additional layer of flavour. However, do note that the fish isn't fully de-boned, and the dim lighting can make it tricky to navigate, so take your time to work your way through this dish.

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Maggie’s 8 Treasures 4/5

For dessert, we enjoyed Maggie's 8 Treasures ($16), a combination of glutinous rice, red date gelato, red bean cloud, longans, jujubes, and peanut brittle. I liked the date ice cream and peanut brittle, but I found the glutinous rice element too heavy for dessert; it felt like a lot to digest at the end of the meal.

Maggie's is a promising newcomer to Keong Saik Road. It offers diners an innovative and exciting experience paired with a beautifully designed ambience. It's very suitable for a date or girl's night out. As they continue to refresh the menu for future runs, I hope they keep some of the standout dishes from this iteration, like the prawn croque madame, which is unforgettable!

Penned by Shermine. Through her pictures and stories, she shares her journey of savouring new flavours and experiences. Note: This is an invited tasting.


Maggie's
1 Keong Saik Road
#01-04
Singapore 089109
Tel: +65 9622 6679
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Nearest MRT: Outram Park (EW, NE, TE Line), Maxwell (TE Line)

Opening Hours:
Tue-Thu, Sun: 530pm - 1030pm
Fri-Sat: 530pm - 1130pm

Direction:
1) Alight at Outram Park MRT station. Take Exit 4. Walk straight towards Kreta Ayer Road. Turn right onto Keong Siak Road. Walk down Keong Siak Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 5 minutes. [Map]

2) Alight at Maxwell MRT station. Take Exit 3. Walk straight down Neil Road to Keong Saik Road. Turn right onto Keong Saik Road. Walk to destination. Journey time about 3 mintues. [Map]